odg_bicuser1 – Page 14 – The Bicester Branch

4th November 20118th February 2021

Ringing for the 2012 Olympics?

Turner prize winner Martin Creed has proposed a national ringing of all bells at 8am on Friday 27th July 2012 to mark the launch of the Olympics.

This nationwide chorus is to be entitled “Work No 1197” and calls for “All the bells in a country rung as quickly and as loudly as possible for three minutes”. Given the shortage of ringers countrywide, a national recruitment campaign will be needed to cover all the 5000+ bell towers in the country. Anyone from the Bicester branch area (which covers towers south as far as Islip, and north up to Finmere) who would like to join us in this national event, please contact the Branch Ringing Master or your local bell tower and training will be provided (and of course we would love you to continue as a bellringer long after this event if you’re willing).

More details about this can be found at:

2nd November 2011

Bletchingdon BP November 2011

The Bletchingdon branch practice was a great teaching session for the local band. 11 ringers (some from Kidlington, Bicester, Islip and our Guild Steward Colin with Zoe from the Banbury Branch) assisted the locals ringing plain courses and touches of Grandsire Doubles much of the evening, with Plain hunt on 6, a touch of Plain Bob Minor, and a plain course of Stedman Doubles to to give us a little variety. A great practice on a lovely set of bells with at least 7 lovely people (according to the tower captain!!! :o)

Next practice is the Plain Bob and Reverse Canterbury Doubles at Bicester on the 21st Nov – looking forward to it 🙂

30th October 2011

Steeple Aston course 2011

The annual Steeple Aston course involved a number of towers in the Bicester branch on Sat 29th Oct. The 4 groups were learning different methods an Bicester hosted one of the Triples & Major teaching sessions. Given there are 10 bells at Bicester the tutors took the opportunity to ring plain hunt on 9, before ringing Plain Bob Triples, Grandsire Triples (including touches 🙂 ) and Plain Bob Major. Lovely to have some more advanced ringing, and give us something to aim for.

Charlton on Otmoor and Islip were also involved – anyone involved care to contribute a write up on those sessions too?

19th October 2011

Doubles and minor

On Tuesday 18th Oct 7 ringers met for the Plain Bob and Grandsire Triples practice at Islip. Unfortunately we didn’t have a band for the planned methods, but we made good use of the evening ringing touches of Plain Bob Minor, Grandsire Doubles, plain courses of St Simon’s Doubles, and attempted Kent TB Minor. A good evening with some useful practice at some less regularly rung methods.

5th October 2011

Birthday branch practice

11 ringers came to Bicester on Monday 3rd Oct to help celebrate my 40th birthday (the next day), and what a start… two plain courses of Grandsire Triples that was really well struck and was applauded at the end! If only all branch practices started like that!!! We also rang call changes on the 10 (a rare event these days) and plain hunt on 7 before concentrating on the more regular methods people are working on – Plain Bob Doubles, Plain Bob Minor. We did try Cambridge Minor, but alas it was not to be, despite several attempts.

Following the practice most of the band joined me in The Swan for drinks :9

A big thanks to all those who came and make the evening so enjoyable.

Anthony

30th September 201114th February 2021

Bicester Branch Outing 2011 report

Eleven bellringers joined in the Bicester Branch Spring outing arranged by Anthony Cole. We were disappointed that Samuel and Grace Cole weren’t also part of the party as they tend to write the more entertaining reports of our outings but glad that their absence meant that Sarah Cole was able to do more ringing than on recent occasions!

However the first ring at all Saints, Middleton Cheney nearly caused all those present to call it a day immediately – the heavy bells and rather springy ropes challenged most of us but, undaunted, we then rang the lighter bells at Chacombe before relaxing over lunch at the George & Dragon – a great find!

At the enjoyable ground floor ring of Cropredy we discovered that our audience had contained Prunella Scales and Timothy West – an inversion of the more normal status quo! Those in the non-ringing party (including the three canine members) were able to enjoy the sun and a local bookfair before we left for Mollington and a, thankfully, light six.

It was especially good to have our Branch President, the redoubtable Willie Haynes, with us following a bout of ill health. Thank you from all of us, Anthony, for giving everyone a great day – and to those who opened their towers for us.

Kathryn Grant

19th September 2011

September special practice

On Monday 19th Sept the special practice was attended by just the Bicester band, including one new ringer to the area. We rang Grandsire Doubles (plain courses and touches), Plain Bob Doubles (again plain courses and touches) and a touch of Stedman Doubles which we were very pleased with. A few trips in the methods, but that is why we practice 🙂

Next branch event is the Bicester branch practice on Mon 3rd Oct.. do come along and help the Ringing master celebrate his 40th birthday (the next day).. I think we may have to visit the pub afterwards!

17th August 20118th February 2021

PB Minor practice 16 August 2011

On Tuesday 16th August 9 ringers (7 from the Bicester Branch plus 2 from W&W) had an evening ringing Plain Bob Minor. It became a joke to say: “What shall we ring now?” .. “How about Plain Bob Minor!”. We rang plain courses, and touches with bobs and singles. A useful practice, but it did seem we got worse as the evening went on, rather than better!

Branch social is next on 3rd Sept (with Striking Competition).

15th August 2011

QP Congratulations

On Monday 15th August, Jan Smith rang her first quarter peal on an inside bell at Biceseter – Congratulations Jan!

The band were all Bicester Branch members, details thus:

Monday 15th August 2011
Bicester, Oxon
1260 Grandsire Doubles in 43 mins (front 6)
1. Jane Singleton
2. Jeremy Adams
3. Janet Smith (1st inside)
4. Steve Walker
5. Anthony Cole (c)
6. Graham Frogley